Question

Can someone explain why 1-3i/-2-4i simplies to 1/2 + 1/2i?

Answer 1

just multiply by the complex conjugate (top and bottom) (-2+4i)/(-2+4i)
and it works out :)

Answer 2

can you supply the details?

Answer 3

yeah, just multiply the top and bottom by (-2+4i) so expanding the top out you should get (1-3i)(-2+4i)= -2+4i+6i+12
On the bottom you'll get (-2-4i)(-2+4i)=4+16

You have (10+10i)/(20) which is your answer

Answer 4

Thanks, but why is the i not squared?

Answer 5

because I^2 =-1

Answer 6

remember that i=sqrt(-1)

Answer 7

I see. Thanks.